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need advice
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11-24-2003, 05:45 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 6
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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need advice
Hi,
I have surgery scheduled for Wed, Nov 26 and I am very nervous. I have fibroids and have been told that my uterus is 18-20 weeks in size. I have NO symptoms,and I am in the best shape now then ever before. Looked at alot of sites that say you do not have to do anything for fibroids yet the doctor recommends it.
Have opinions from family and friends some say go for it others say no.............
Looking for help...
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11-24-2003, 05:57 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 4,377
Hysterectomy: January 5th, 2001
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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need advice
Hi --
It's normal to be nervous about this surgery or any other major surgery.
However, if you're unsure about having it, I'm wondering if you want to think about getting a second opinion from another doctor.
Why is your doctor recommending this surgery? Were the fibroids and uterus size discovered during a regular exam or did you go to the doc because of any particular complaints regarding this?
No one else can tell you if this surgery is right for you or not, only you can reach that decision. I had a lot of pain and problems before my surgery and having it has improved the quality of my life immensely but I don't know that I would have had the surgery if I hadn't had to live with the pain, heavy bleeding and other problems for so many years before my hyst.
This is not something you can go back and change afterwards - I really suggest you either talk to your doc or another doc and be absolutely positive this is what you want to do. Even if it means postponing til after the Thanksgiving holiday........you need to be certain that you are doing the right thing for YOU.
Also, you might want to check out the Hysterectomy Options and Alternatives forum........lots of gals there trying to make up their minds, just like you:
http://64.21.43.157/vb2/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=4
Good luck to you --
Ann
TAH/BSO 1/5/01
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11-24-2003, 06:07 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 99
Hysterectomy: November 12th, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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need advice
Hey, CLK-
I had fibroids for years and they were no bother, either, then suddenly they began to grow. I was living in CT and moving to CA and saw my gyno 1 last time before the move. I wanted to have a year to settle in and make my way before choosing a new doc. Well, no, he went buggy on me all of a sudden saying the MINUTE I got out here, I had to locate a DR and get them out!! Apparently they started a growth spurt that concerned him. Needless to say, I got all flipped out. I did find a new doc right away when we got out here and when I gave him my records and he did an exam, we sat & had a long discussion. Basically, I was told that Easy Coast Docs are more prone to surgery. If the fibroids weren't bothering me & I felt ok, leave them alone. I did have an unltrasound - which I'd never had with CT doc - and we upped my check ups to every 6 months rather than once a year. It was an interesting way to get to know a new doc!!!
Anyway, it took 2 years before the fibroids started causing problems and finally he said, I know you didn't want to do this, but I think it's time to talk about hysterectomy.
I ended up having a TAH/BSO on the 12th of this month. I'm recovering nicely and looking forward to having more energy than when the fibroids were draining all my blood off! I was extremely anemic, fatigued, achey and experiencing flooding periods every 2 weeks.
You don't say how old you are, my age was a factor to waiting, as well.
I wouldn't dare give you advice as to what to do. The decision, unfortunately, lies within you. Each of us has to make their own way depending on circumstances. If you are unsure, make an appointment with another doc and get a second opinion - and a third if you need to.
Please stay in touch, we care here.
Pam
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11-24-2003, 06:12 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 6
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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need advice
Thanks for responding........I was told last year that I had fibroids after an exam and ultrasound. Went this year for checkup with a new doctor..same practice and they first thing she said was that they had increased in size, had another ultrasound and was told that yes they had increased. I am in perimenopause and was told that I could take lupron or have the surgery. Given a 50-50 chance of the drug working.
Is it really worth taking??? I take no meds and I am proud of it.
Talked to both of my children and they felt that the odds are no that great.
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11-24-2003, 06:16 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 6
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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need advice
Thanks for the note.....you are the first person that has told me that you expericened no symptoms. I am 50 ...
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11-24-2003, 06:38 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 1,489
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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need advice
Did your doctor say you can stay on Lupron indefinately? I don't believe this is the case. Normally you take it for a maximum of 6 months to potentially shrink the fibroid and make surgery easier. This drug has a lot of side effects (causes bone density loss) so you can't stay on it long. And, it doesn't always work.
You should get another opinion from a doctor OUTSIDE of the practice. Growing fibroids may not mean much (HOW fast is the key question). Still, a 20 week uterus is big. They may have trouble visualizing your ovaries during a pelvic. Could that be a concern? i'm surprised you don't have any symptoms. Usually this size could at least cause frequent urination.
Did they mention UAE as an alternative to hysterectomy (this would shrink the fibroid).
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11-24-2003, 06:48 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 16
Hysterectomy: December 2nd, 2003
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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need advice
Two years ago I was told I needed a hysterectomy asap due to large fibroids. I was very upset and reluctant to have the surgery, because my fibroids, also, were not causing any symptoms. I found a doctor who only believes in hysterectomy as a last resort. He was willing to work with me--and even though I was 50 at the time, suggested a myomectomy--to remove the fibroids but leave the uterus intact. Unfortunately I developed some other conditions (hyperplasia and polyps) in the past two years and the myomectomy is no longer an option. (you can read my post "What would you do?" 10-26-2003, 6:25 pm for more details about my situation--sorry, I don't know how to give you the link for this post).
The point is--if it's only fibroids you are dealing with and they are causing no symptoms--it might not be a bad idea to get a second opinion. There are some wonderful doctors out there who are very skilled and will explore alternatives with you. Also, if you have symptoms of menopause--waiting a year or so, might not be a bad idea (under a doctor's care and supervision)--because, I was told, the fibroids do shrink after menopause (this was not an option for me because even though I am 51--I am nowhere near menopause--very high estrogen levels.)
I do wish you luck--what ever you decide to do--I hope you have a positive outcome.
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11-24-2003, 06:48 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 183
Hysterectomy: November 19th, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
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need advice
I also did not have any major problems at first, so I waited about 5 years, my dr. put me on BCP and I did ok for a while, I never really had heavy bleeding while being on the pill, but I kept getting horrible back pains because my uterus was tilted back and touching my spine, I also kept getting what felt like an UTI every month, but it was just the fibroids and endo around my bladder, also found out last wed. after my TAH/BSO that my uterus had grown a lot in the last few months, since my last ultrasound, it was 3 times the size of a normal one.
So now I am 5 days post op, and I am not going to lie and tell you that it has been really easy since the surgery, I get tired easily, my incision hurts and burns often,
I depend on DH for the last 2 days to help me get out of bed, but if I look at the big picture, I think that this is a temporary thing and it will get easier.
The bottom line is, I postponed this as long as I could, and I did get two opinions before having this major surgery.
sorry for the long post......I wish you the best of luck with your decision......I know is not an easy one!!!!
alex
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11-24-2003, 10:30 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 1,489
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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need advice
Remember, fibroids don't always shrink at menopause. The doctor may be able to tell you if the type of fibroid you have is more/less likely to shrink. Not all types of fibroids will shrink when estrogen levels decline.
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11-24-2003, 03:00 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 6
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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need advice
Thanks for the info........met a new doc today and she has calmed me....I now know that I am doing the right thing...still nervous but know that my recovery is right around the corner.
Thanks to all for their comments I will stay in touch.......
Wish me luck !
clk
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